Curvilinear terrace construction and planter blocks and methods therefor



May 20, 1969 L. FREHNER 3,4445694 CURVILINEAR TERRACE CONSTRUCTION, AND PLANTER BLOCKS AND{ METHODS THEREFOR Filed Oct. 25, 1967 v Sheet of 7 INVENTOR. LEON FREHNER ATTORNEY gwaw Z of 7 May 20, 1969 L FR EHNER 3 CURVILINEAR TERRACE CONSTRUCTION AND PLANTER BLOCKS AND METHODS THEREFOR Filed 00% 25, 1957 Sheet INVENTOR. LEON FREHNER ATTORNEY May 20, 1969 L. FREHNER 3,444,694

CURVILINEAR TERRACE CONSTRUCTION AND PLANTER BLOCKS AND METHODS THEREFOR Filed Oct. 25. 1967 Sheet 3 of 7 INVENTOR.

LEON, FREH R J ATTORNEY May 20, 1969 FREHNER 3,444,694

cunvxmuma TERRACE CONSTRUCTION AND PLANTER v BLOCKS AND ms'rnons THEREFOR Filed on. 25, 1967 Sheet 4 o! '7 INVENTOR. LEON FREHNER ATTORNEY May 20, 1969 r L. F EH E 3,444,694

' CURVILINEAR TERRACE CONSTRUCTION AND PLAN'IER 'BLOCKS AND METHODS THEREFOR f V Sheet 5 of 7 Filed Oct. 25, 1967 INVENTOR. LEON F REHNER ATTORNE-Y L. FREHNER May 20, 1969 3,444,694

. CURVILINEAR TERRACE CONSTRUCTION AND PLANTER BLOCKS AND mswnons THEREFOR 6 Sheet Filed Oct. 25, 1967 INVENTOR. LEON FREHNER ATTORNEY May 20, 1969 y L. FREHNER 3, ,6 4

CURVILINEAR TERRACE CONSTRUCTION AND PLANTER BLOCKS AND METHODS THEREFOR Filed Oct. 25, 1967 Sheet of 7 FIG. l2

INVENTOR. LEON FREHNER ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,444,694 CURVILINEAR TERRACE CONSTRUCTION AND PLANTER BLOCKS AND METHODS THEREFOR Leon Frehuer, 2129 South 20th East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106 Filed Oct. 25, 1967, Ser. No. 677,932 Int. Cl. E02d 17/20, 29/16; A01g 9/02 U.S. Cl. 61-35 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Methods, planter blocks and terrace stacking arrangements for constructing decorative curvilinear portions of earth-retaining terrace walls adapted to provide spaces containing exposed soil where flowers and the like can be planted.

This invention relates generally to the construction of retaining walls in systematically offset tiers and, more specifically, to methods, masonry blocks and stacking arrangements for forming both inside and outside curved portions of terraced retaining and like walls.

The subject matter of my previous invention as set forth in United States Patent 2,960,797 was conceived and reduced to practice in an effort to solve long-standing problems related to the retaining of sloped terrain in desired positions. By use of the mentioned invention, erosion of hillsides is eliminated, decorative planting spaces are provided, beautiful landscaping elfects can be readily achieved, and maintenance is minimized.

Following the making of the invention of the mentioned patent, it became apparent that the planter blocks depicted and described in the patent would be of limited application in retaining meandering sloping terrain, the described planter blocks being adapted for construction of linear terrace retaining walls.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel system for constructing curvilinear portions of terraced retaining and like walls of the general type set forth in my United States Patent 2,960,797, the novel system embracing unique (a) methods, (b) blocks and (c) stacking arrangement for the blocks.

Preliminary to making the invention set forth in this specification, I worked on a trial and error basis almost continuously for more than four years trying to arrive at satisfactory solutions to the problem of producing curvilinear walls of the type under consideration. Hundreds of sketches were drafted and discarded. At one point in time, I concluded that a satisfactory solution could not be found. However, persistence bore fruit and, finally, acceptable solutions were arrived at through conception and prototype construction of novel sets of masonry planter blocks which, when stacked in particular combinations tier upon tier, present curved terrace wall portions which respectively traverse various angles in either direction from a straight line.

The presently preferred embodiments of this invention comprise sets of three corner blocks, each block resembling though distinct from the blocks described in my mentioned patent. Each set of three corner blocks comprises a central angled block having two angularly-related legs of essentially equal length and two, left and right, opposite hand angled blocks, respectively having angularlyrelated legs, the outside leg in each case being substantially longer than the inside leg. All three blocks are generally exteriorly convex and interiorly concave, when viewed in their properly stacked positions.

The corner blocks comprising a given set are symmetrically arranged to form a corner wall portion, usually between linear sections of a retaining wall, such that each ice successively staggered tier contains progressively more Corner blocks, which, taken together, peripherally generally define an inverted triangular shape. Using the presently preferred stacking arrangements, the assemblages of corner blocks respectively generate inside and/0r outside curves of 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees as well as combinations thereof. The assemblages of these sets of corner blocks and combinations thereof satisfactorily accommodate erection of a curved wall of interlocking blocks which closely conforms to and holds in position essentially any irregularly contoured sloping terrain. The sets of corner blocks and combinations thereof can also be erected on essentially flat ground in the form of various self-enclosing configurations, each intended to serve as a decorative planter, a snow fence or a wind break.

Accordingly, it is another important object of this invention to provide novel planter corner blocks, corner block stacking arrangements and methods therefor, to accommodate erection of a curved wall to retain earth in a predetermined sloping disposition, essentially immune from the eifects of erosion and adapted to beautify the area of the earth being retained.

Another significant object is the provision of a novel method and structure having one or more of the following features and being useful for erecting terrace walls possessing at least one curvilinear portion to retain earth which is similarly curved and sloped:

(1) which is economical to use;

(2) which does not require great skill to accomplish erection;

(3 the blocks of which can be sized for easy handling and placement;

(4) which can be used to effectuate a number of combinations of curves in either direction, difiering in degree of curvature one from another;

(5) the stacked assemblages of which are highly decorative, with or without placement of flowers, etc. in the planting spaces provided;

(6) the blocks of which are self-interlocking, necessitating no mortar at the joints and requiring no footings as a foundation;

(7) the blocks of which can be used to assemble a wall of any height which negotiates and restrains any curved, sloped terrain;

(8) the blocks of which can be arranged in self-enclosing configuration and filled with soil to provide an architectural edifice, or a beautiful garden piece when the planting spaces are provided with flowers;

(9) which can be used for selectively erecting a wall to serve as a snow fence or a Wind break.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the folfowing description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective of a set of three individual corner blocks used in series, as depicted in FIGURE 2,

to erect a curvilinear wall having a curved outside angle traversing 60 arcuate degrees;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective of a set of three additional corner blocks used in series, as depicted in FIGURE 4, to erect a wall having a curved terrace retaining wall which traverses an inside angle of 60 arcuate degrees;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective of a set of three additional individual corner blocks used in series, as depicted in FIGURE 6, to erect a curved terrace retaining wall which traverses an outside angle of 30 arcuate degrees;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective of a set of three additional individual corner blocks used in series, as depicted in FIGURE 8, to erect a curved terrace retaining wall which traverses an inside angle of 30 arcuate degree-s;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective of a set of three additional individual corner blocks used in series, as depicted in FIGURE 11, to erect a curved terrace retaining wall which traverses an outside angle of 45 arcuate degrees, and also used in series, as depicted in FIGURE 12, to erect a curved terrace retaining wall which traverses an inside angle of 45 arcuate degrees; and

FIGURE 10 is a perspective representation of left and right opposite hand end blocks used to terminate a wall construction in the manner shown in FIGURE 11.

Each block depicted in the drawings is preferably relatively thin walled and generally presents a V shape when observed in plan view. The blocks are desirably formed of a hard-setting cementitious material, such as concrete formed of hydraulic cement, aggregate and water.

For simplicity of presentation, each individual block of FIGURES 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 has been generally designated by a separate numeral in the ensuing description and accompanying drawings, but each of the various parts of all of the depicted blocks which generally correspond one with another have been identified by the same numeral throughout the description and drawings.

Preferably, all blocks manufactured according to the present invention will be of a uniform height so that any desired assemblage of corner blocks can be constructed, for example, as a transition between angularly-related linear portions of a retaining wall constructed with the block and using the procedure set forth in my earlier U.S. Patent 2,960,797, which block herein shall be called the standard block.

With specific reference to the drawings, FIGURE 1 depicts a set of three individual corner blocks, i.e. a center corner block 20, a left corner block 22 and a right corner block 24. The corner blocks of FIGURE 1 are preferably of one-piece molded construction and are used to erect a curved portion of a retaining wall which defines an outside curvature of 60 arcuate degrees. See FIGURE 2.

Each of the masonry corner blocks 20, 22 and 24 define a V configuration, when viewed in plan, and present a horizontally-directed, outwardly convex front face 26 and a back concave surface 28. The V configuration is generated by left and right legs 30 and 32 which are integrally joined one to another by a nose fillet 34, disposed at the apex of the V. The nose fillet 34 terminates outwardly in a blunt nose surface 36.

The left and right legs 30 and 32 of the blocks 20, 22 and 24 are each respectively terminated in a left side edge 38 and a right side edge 40. Each edge 38 and 40 is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the planes which respectively contain the legs 30 and 32.

It should also be observed that the right leg 32 of the left corner block 22 and the left leg 30 of the right corner block 24 are respectively shorter in length than is the left leg 30 of the block 22 and the right leg 32 of the block 24, the blocks 22 and 24 being identical though opposite hand. The right and left legs 32 and 30 of the block 20 are of equal length.

The legs 30 and 32 and the nose fillet 3'4 jointly terminate at a continuous fiat top edge 42 and at a continuous flat bottom edge 44. The top top and bottom edges 42 and 44 are respectively situated in planes which are generally horizontal and also normal to the planes containing the left and right legs '30 and 32.

The relationship of the legs 30 and 32 one to another is such as to present an included angle therebetween, which is designated 46. Naturally, the angle 46 will vary in its magnitude from block to block depending upon the angle to be traversed by the assemblage of corner blocks.

It should also be noted that the included angle 46 consists of two components measured within the plane containing the top surface 42 with respect to a vertical plane disposed perpendicular to both the first mentioned plane and the plane containing the blunt nose surface 36. These angle components are identified left and right by the numerals 50 and 52. Note that the angle components 50 and 52 of block 20 are equal in magnitude, namely, 30 degrees each in the FIGURE 1 embodiment. The angle component 50 of the block 22 and the angle component 52 of the block 24 are respectively greater in magnitude than the angle component 52 of the block 22 and the angle component 50 of the block 24, the ratios being 60 degrees to 30 degrees, respectively, in the FIGURE 1 embodiment.

The blocks 20, 22 and 24 are each provided with a pie-shaped recess or notch 48 which is situated at the base of fillet 34 and opens to the front generally at the blunt nose 36 and to the bottom at the bottom edge 44. The notch 48 of a given block in one tier is configurated to rest in mating relationship over top of a side edge joint between two blocks in the next lower tier. This type of stacking will horizontally situate the bottom edge of all blocks in one tier slightly below the horizontally situated topedge of all blocks in the next lower tier. The bottom edge 44 of any given block will rest horizontally upon a prepared base of soil.

Observe that the notch 48 of the central corner block 20 at its forward opening spans only between the margins of the blunt nose 36. However, the notch 48 of each of the left and right corner blocks 22 and 24, shown in FIGURE 1, at the forward opening thereof spans beyond the margins of the blunt nose a short distance into the legs 30 and 32.

Except for the curvilinear features, the pattern of and procedure for assembling blocks in terraces to form a retaining wall according to this invention is in a broad sense much like the pattern as set forth in my earlier US. Patent 2,960,797, to which reference may be made for greater detail, if desired. Each tier of blocks is generally horizontally arranged so that the side edges of adjacent blocks are situated end-to-end. Successive tiers exposed at different horizontal elevations, (a) will comprise standard blocks disposed in both rearwardly offset and laterally staggered relation to the blocks in adjoining tiers where the retaining wall so formed is linear or straight and (b) will comprise corner blocks which are rearwardly offset and may or may not be disposed in laterally staggered relation to the blocks in the adjoining tiers when the retaining wall so formed is curvilinear. Whether or not such corner blocks are laterally staggered depends on whether the curvature in the wall is an inside or outside curve.

With specific reference to FIGURE 2, the outside curve in the illustrated retaining wall, generally designated 60 and shown in solid lines, traverses an outside angle 62 of 60 arcuate degrees and thereby spans between two angularly-related linear wall portions, generally designated 64 and 65 and shown in dotted lines. The curve 60 is formed of the corner blocks 20, 22 and 24, using a novel stacking arrangement, while the straight wall poritons 64 and 65 are formed of standard blocks 66.

The described corner blocks 20, 22 and 24 are shaped and sized in the illustrated embodiment to be erected in the manner indicated in FIGURE 2 in merging relation with a terrace assemblage of the mentioned standard blocks 66, where each standard block (a) has legs of equal length exceeding the length of legs 30 and 32 of block 20 and (b) has legs which form an included angle traversing degrees.

While the corner blocks of FIGURE 1 could be used to form a self-enclosing, soil-filled yard or like planter box, for simplicity of description only the earth-retaining wall structure of FIGURE 2 will described.

Desirably, for example, one of the two linear wall portions, say portion 64, is first constructed with standard planter blocks 66 in the manner set forth in the previously mentioned patent. Thus, the standard blocks 66 will be arranged front face forward in generally horizontally disposed terrace courses or tiers, with the blocks of the adjoining tiers laterally offset one from another by onehalf of one block. In this way, a sloping sidehill 67 can be indefinitely restrained in the same disposition and, moreover, standard planter areas 68 of exposed soil are provided, for example, for the purpose of accepting decorative live and artificial plants, flowers, etc.

The blocks 66 of each course or tier in either linear wall portion are situated end-to-end and, where a suitably sized and shaped notch is provided at fillet 34 which opens forwardly at the lower end of the nose surface and downwardly at the forward center part of the bottom surface, a positive self-locking engagement will take place between assembled blocks where the nose notch of one block in one intermediate tier mates with the top of juxtaposed free ends of two blocks situated end-to-end in the next lower tier. Of course, any nose notch comprising part of any standard planter block 66 or any corner block according to this invention will be redundant when such blocks are used to form the ground-engaging bottom tier of a retaining or like wall.

Naturally, since the earth supports each block along the bottom edge thereof in horizontal disposition as illustrated, the soil at slope 67 must somehow be terraced and, if necessary, compacted in satisfactory configuration before or during erection to correctly accept and support the illustrated assemblages of blocks.

Now, let it be assumed that (a) the linear wall portion 64 has been erected using standard planter blocks 66 as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 2 and (b) it is desired to negotiate the wall through an outside curve of about 60 degrees.

Next, one corner block 20 is situated in the bottom tier in horizontal disposition with the left edge 38 of the block 20 in tight end-to-end fully contiguous relation with the right end of the last block 66 of the linear wall portion 64. Since the included angle 46 formed by the legs of the block 20 spans 60 arcuate degrees and the side edges 38 and 40 are fabricated at a precise predetermined angle, namely 30 degrees, relative to the vertical plane normal to the adjacent leg 30 or 32 no more corner construction need take place at the bottom tier. The blocks 66 of the bottom tier of the linear wall portion 65 can thereafter be placed in the manner heretofore set forth with left edge of the first mentioned block 66 disposed in essentially fully contiguous relation with the right edge 40 of block 20 of the bottom tier.

The curvature in the second tier of wall portion 60 is constructed in a similar manner serially, from left to right, using (a) a corner block 22 at the right end of the straight wall portion 64, with the left edge of block 22 fully contiguous with the right edge of the last, laterally staggered block 66, second tier, the face of which is situated in horizontal disposition, and (b) a corner block 24 at the right end of the block 22 with the left edge of the block 24 fully contiguous with the right edge of the block 22. Note that the blocks 22 and 24, second tier, are disposed in symmetrical relation above and to each side of the block 20, bottom tier. Also, the blocks 22 and 24, second tier, are sized and shaped so that the'notch 48 of each block will rest in self-interlocking relation upon the top of the end-to-end block joints formed at the opposed side edges 38 and 40 of the block 20, bottom tier.

The blocks 22 and 24, taken together, therefore, comprise the curved wall portion 60 of the second tier which traverses the required outside 60 degree angle.

Observe in FIGURE 2 that the entire left side of each block 22, measured to the left of a vertical plane passing through the nose surface 36 perpendicular to a vertical plane extending between the ends of the block, and the entire right side of each block 24, measured in the same way, are respectively identical in shape and size to the entire left side and the entire right side, respectively, of any block 66. Thus, the entire left side of the block 22 constitutes a straight line continuation of the linear wall portion 64 and the entire right side of the block 24, taken alone, is in straight alignment with the linear wall portion 65. Accordingly, the entire right side of the block 22 turns the retaining wall through one-half of the outside 60 angle of the curvature of the wall portion 60, because the angle component 52 of the block 22 spans 30 degrees, the short leg 32 traverses rearward to a depth equal to the depth traversed by the long leg 30, and the side edge 40 is fabricated at a 30 angle to a vertical plane normal to the leg 32. Likewise, the entire left side of the block 24 turns the retaining wall through the second onehalf of the outside 60 angle of the curvature of the wall portion 60, because the angle component 50 of the block 24 spans 30 degrees, the short leg 30 traverses rearward to a depth equal to the depth traversed by the long leg 32, and the side edge 38 is fabricated at a 30 angle to a vertical plane normal to the leg 30.

After blocks 22 and 24 have been properly situated to provide the curved part of the second tier, the blocks 66 of the linear portion 65 may then be placed.

Thereafter, the 60 degree curved portion of the third tier is erected in a manner as above-described serially using, left to right, one block 22, one block 20 and one block 24. The entire block 22 taken alone constitutes a straight line continuation of the third tier of the linear wall portion 64 but is foreshortened to cause the notch 48 of the block 22, third tier, to self-interlock over the top of the end joint between block 22 and block 66, second tier. The entire block 24 taken alone is in straight alignment with the linear wall portion 65 in the same way. Therefore, the block 20, third tier, turns the third tier of the retaining wall through the outside 60 angle of curvature at 60. Note that the side edge or end joints of the corner block 20, 22 and 24, third tier, are disposed end-to-end although the adjoining side edges of adjacent blocks are disposed at an acute angle one to another. By providing such side edges of the corner blocks in all tiers in various acute angular relationships, the curvature turned by any curved wall portion can be correspondingly varied.

Thereafter, the blocks 66 of the third tier of wall portion 65 can be correctly placed.

The overall stacking arrangement of blocks 20, 22 and 24 at wall portion 60 is in the form of an inverted triangle and produces spaced corner planter areas 70, adapted to receive artificial or live plants, flowers, etc.

It is to be appreciated that the curvature 60 of FIGURE 2 can be of any desired number of tiers. If a fourth tier were used it would, from left to right, serially comprise, at curved portion 60, a first block 22, a second block 22, a first block 24, and a second block 24, situated in the described end-to-end relation with each notch 48 of each block self-interlocking with a lower block end joint, as described. In like manner, if a fifth tier were to be incorporated in the wall construction of FIGURE 2, the curved portion 60 thereof would serially comprise, left to right, a first block 22, a second block 22, one block 20, a first block 24, and a second block 24, situated in the described end-to-end relation with each notch 48 interlocking with a lower block end joint, as described.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 3 which depicts another set of three individual corner blocks, i.e. a center corner block 80, a left corner block 82 and a right corner block 84. The corner blocks of FIGURE 3 are similar in most respects to the described corner blocks of FIG- URE 1, with some important differences. The included angle 46 and angle components 50 and 52 of the left and right corner blocks 82 and 84 respectively are identical in magnitude with the included angle and angle components of left and right corner blocks 22 and 24, heretofore described. The side edge 38 of block 82 and the side edge 40 of block 84 are each situated in a vertical plane disposed at a 30 angle to a vertical plane normal to the adjacent leg of the block. The side edge 40 of block 82 and the side edge 38 of the block 84 are each situated in a vertical plane disposed at a 60 angle measured in the same way.

The center corner block 80 differs from the previously described center corner block 20 in that the included angle 46 of block 80 traverses 120 degrees, 60 degrees of which comprise angle component 50 and 60 degrees of which comprise angle component 52. Moreover, block 80 is not provided with a notch 48 as is block 20.

The side edges 38 and 40 of block 80 are each disposed at an angle of 60 degrees to a vertical plane normal to the plane containing the respective adjacent legs 30 and 32.

The blocks 80, 82 and 84 are used to erect the curved wall portion 90, shown in solid lines in FIGURE 4, which traverses an inside angle 93 of 60 arcuate degrees and thereby tightly spans between two angularly-related linear wall portions 64 and 65, shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 4.

Using the methodology earlier described, the curved Wall portion 90 is constructed to retain the sloping side hill 91 by centrally disposing one block 80 upon the ground as part of the bottom tier so that, when the bottom tier is completed, the block 80 will fit tightly between linear wall portions 64 and 65 with the left and right side edges of the block 80 disposed contiguous with the right and left side edges respectively of the two adjacent blocks 66, first tier, as shown. Outward movement of the block 80 is thereby prohibited and at the same time the configuration of the block 80 precisely turns the first tier of the retaining wall through the required 60 inside degrees between the wall portions 64 and 65.

The part of the curved wall portion 90 defined by the second tier, FIGURE 4, is, left to right, serially formed of one block 82, one block 80 and one block 84 so that the curved part of the second tier precisely merges with the adjacent blocks 66, which are each laterally staggered in relation to the blocks 66 of the bottom tier. Because of configurations of the blocks 82, 80 and 84, the notch 48 of each of the blocks 82 and 84, second tier, correctly interlocks over the top of the adjacent edge joint of the block 80, bottom tier. The block 80, second tier, rests upon the soil between the blocks 82 and 84 set back but in the same attitude and in direct line with the block 80, first tier.

In like manner, the part of the curved wall portion 90 defined by the third tier, FIGURE 4, serially comprises a first block 82, a second block 82, one block 80, a first block 84 and a second block 84 so that the curved part of the third tier precisely merges with the adjacent blocks 66, which are laterally staggered with relation to the blocks 66 of the second tier. The notch 48 of each of the first and second blocks 82 and the first and second blocks 84 correctly interlocks over an edge joint provided by the second tier. The block 80, third tier, rests upon the soil between the second block 82 and the first block 84 set back but in the same attitude and directly in line with the blocks 80 of the first and second tiers. Note that this overall stacking construction provides corner planter spaces 92 of exposed soil adapted to receive decorative live or artificial plants, flowers, etc.

The curved wall portion 90 could be erected to any height comprising the needed number of tiers by simply adding one more block 82 at the extreme left and one additional block 84 at the extreme right of the curvature 90 at each succeeding tier. In other words, if a fourth tier were added to the curved portion 90, it would, left to right, serially comprise three blocks 82, one block 80 followed by three blocks 84.

Observe in FIGURE 4 that all blocks 82 constitute a straight line continuation of the linear wall portion 64, and each block 80 turns the retaining wall through the required inside 60 degrees of curvature 93. Also, block 80 could be linear or outwardly concave between its ends and serve the same purpose. Moreover, the retaining wall could be turned through angle 93 by eliminating block 80 in each tier of curved wall portion 90 with the remaining illustrated blocks being shifted so that (a) the ends of the angularly-related blocks 66 of the linear wall portions 64 and 65, bottom tier, are brought together and (b) the adjacent legs of adjoining blocks 22 and 24 of each tier are brought together into front face-to-front face relation.

With reference to FIGURES 5 and 6, observe that the fundamental configuration of center corner block 100, left corner block 102 and right corner block 104 generally corespond in each part to the structure of blocks 20, 22 and 24, respectively. In addition to slightly longer leg lengths, the more meaningful differences are (a) the angle segments 50 and 52 of block 100 comprise 45 degrees each, (b) the angle segment 50 of the block 192 and the angle segment 52 of the block 104 respectively traverse 60 degrees, while the angle segment 52 of the block 102 and the angle segment 50 of the block 104 respectively traverse 45 degrees and (c) the distance spanned by the notch 48 of each block 100, 102 and 104 is respectively at variance with the distance spanned by the notch 48 of each block 20, 22 and 24.

As is evident from FIGURE 6, the set of corner blocks 100, 102 and 104 is assembled to form a curved Wall portion 106, to restrain sloping sidehill 110 and provide corner planter areas 112 of exposed soil, in essentially the same manner as is the set of blocks 20, 22 and 24 (see FIGURE 2), except that the outside curvature 108 traversed by the corner wall portion 106 is arcuate degrees or a variance therefrom depending on the acute angular relation, if any, established between the side edges at the end joints between the blocks of each tier.

With reference to FIGURES 7 and 8, observe that the fundamental configuration of center corner block 120, left corner block 122 and right corner block 124 generally correspond in each particular to the described blocks 80, 82 and 84, respectively. The more meaningful differences are (a) the angle segments 50 and 52 of the block 120 comprise 75 degrees each, (b) the angle segment 50 of the block 122 and the angle segment 52 of the block 124 respectively traverse 60 degrees each while the angle segment 52 of the block 122 and the angle segment 50 of the block -124 respectively traverse 15 degrees each, and (c) the angular dispositions of the side edges 38 and of the blocks 120, 122 and 124 with respect to a vertical plane normal to the plane of the adjacent leg differ from that of blocks 80, 82 and 84, the angular dispositions being (1) 30 degrees for edges 38 and 40 of block 120, edge 38 of block 122 and edge 40 of block 124 and (2) degrees for edge 40 of block 122 and edge 38 of block 124.

As is evident from FIGURE 8, the set of corner blocks 120, 122 and 124 is assembled to form curved wall portion 126, to restrain sloping sidehill 128 and to provide corner planter areas 130 of exposed soil, in essentially the same manner as is the set of blocks 80, 82 and 84 (see FIGURE 4), except that the inside curvature 125 traversed by the curved wall portion 126 is 30 arcuate degrees or a variance therefrom depending on any acute angular relation established between the side edges at the end joints between the blocks of each tier.

Also, block could be linear orv outwardly concave between its ends and serve the same purpose. Moreover, the retaining wall could be turned through angle by eliminating block 120 in each tier of curved wall portion 126 with the remaining blocks being shifted so that (a) the ends of the angularly-related blocks 66 of the linear wall portions 64 and 65, bottom tier, are brought together and (b) the adjacent legs of adjoining blocks 122 and 124 of each tier are brought together into front face-to-front face relation.

FIGURES 9 and 10 respectively depict a set of three individual corner blocks and a set of wall-terminating end blocks used respectively to turn a retaining wall through an outside curvature (FIGURE 11) of 45 arcuate degrees and to bring a retaining wall to an end where desired.

The set of three individual corner blocks shown in FIGURE 9 comprise a. center corner block 140, a left corner block 142 and a right corner block 144. Observe that the fundamental configuration of the blocks 140, 142,

and 144 generally correspond in most parts to the structure of blocks 20, 22 and 24, respectively, with certain important exceptions.

One important difference consists of the provision on block 140 of dog leg or left and right butt ends 37 and 39, respectively presenting butt edges 38 and 40'. Block 142 also comprises the left butt end 37 and the left butt edge 38' along with the earlier-described right side edge 40, while block 144 also comprises the right butt end 39 and the right butt edge 40' along with the earlier-described left side edge 38. Edge 38 of block 144 and edge 40 of block 142 are respectively disposed in a vertical plane at 45 degrees to a vertical plane normal to the plane of the adjacent leg of the block under consideration.

The mentioned butt ends and butt edges are not critical but are needed in the illustrated embodiment because standard blocks 66', used to form the standard wall portions 64 and 65 of the wall of FIGURE 11, are shown as having the same type of butt ends and butt edges. Each block 66 also varies from the described block 66 in that the end-to-end length is illustrated as being about one third shorter than the corresponding length of block 66. Thus, each planter space 68 is deeper and less elongated than each space 68.

A significant distinction of the left and right blocks of FIGURE 9 resides in the fact that leg 32 of block 142 nad leg 30 of block 144 respectively traverse rearward to a depth less than the depth traversed by the other leg of each block.

The angle component 50 of block 142 and the angle component 52 of block 144 consists of 40 degrees while the angle component 52 of block 142 and the angle component 50 of the block 144 each traverse 22 degrees 30 minutes. The angle components 50 and 52 of block 140 each traverse 17 degrees 30 minutes, while, insignificantly, the nose surface 36' is illustrated as having a V shape. The angular disposition of the edge 40 of block 142 and the edge 38 of block 144 is 45 degrees to a vertical plane normal to the respective legs 32 of block 142 and 30 of block 144.

As is evident from FIGURE 11, the set of corner blocks 140, 142 and 144 is assembled in a form of a curved wall portion 152 to restrain the sloping sidehill 154 and provide corner planter areas 156 of exposed soil, in essentially the same manner as is the set of blocks 20, 22 and 24 (see FIGURE 2), except that the outside curvature 150 turns the retaining wall through 45 arcuate degrees or a variance therefrom depending on the acute angular relation, if any, established between the side edges at the end joints between the blocks of each tier.

Note that the second and third tiers of the curved wall portion 152 bulge outwardly somewhat and the adjacent side edges at the end joints between the blocks 142 and 140 and the blocks 140 and 144 in the third tier of the curved wall portion 152 form a rearwardly divergent acute angle. The side edges of the blocks 140, 142 and 144 of the bottom and second tiers are illustrated as being flush with the side edges of each adjacent block.

Notch 48 of each block 140, 142 and 144 interlocks over the top of an end joint between blocks in the next lower tier.

With reference to FIGURE 12, observe that the described blocks 140, 142 and 144 can be assembled to turn a terrace retaining wall, at curved portion 161, through an inside curvature 160 of 45 arcuate degrees or a variation therefrom depending on the acute angular relation, if any, established between the side edges at the end joints between the blocks of each tier, to restrain sloping sidehill 162 and provide corner planter areas 164, in essentially the same manner as is the set of blocks 20, 22 and 24.

Of course, the block 140 could be linear or outwardly concave between its ends and serve the same purpose. Moreover, the retaining Wall could be turned through angle 160 by eliminating each block 140 or by replacing each block 140, for example, with a standard block 66.

Where each block is eliminated the remaining illus trated blocks would need to be placed so that (a) the ends of the angularly-related blocks 66' of the linear wall portions 64 and 65, bottom tier, are brought together and (b) the adjacent legs of adjoining blocks 142 and 144 of each tier are brought together into front face-tofront face relation.

The left terminal end block 146 is shown in FIGURE 10 as integrally comprising (a) a right half which is identical to the right half of the described block 144 and (b) a left half 151 which is planar and directly perpendicular to and which terminates at the plane containing nose surface 36, so that an interior angle 46 is provided between the two legs of the block 146.

Likewise, the right terminal end block 148 is shown as integrally comprising (a) a left half identical to the left half of the described block 142 and (b) a right one half 153 which is planar and directly perpendicular to and which terminates at the plane containing the nose surface 36, so that angle 46 is also the included angle between the legs of the block 148.

The ends blocks 146 and 148 are used to terminate the left and right ends, respectively, of a retaining wall of the type heretofore described and, in so doing, provided planter spaces 158. The notches 48 of the blocks 146 and 148 interlock over the top of the terminal edge of the adjacent block in the next lowered tier, except for the bottom tier. See FIGURE 11.

With the foregoing in mind, it should be appreciated that various modifications could be made to the described embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention and that the invention provides novel structure and stacking arrangements for and methods of erecting special, attractive, self-interlocked, inside and outside curvilinear wall portions of a terrace retaining wall.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A stacking arrangement of masonry planter blocks for turning a terraced retaining wall through an acute inside or outside angle of 30, 45, 60 and limited variations thereof comprising a set of V-shaped corner blocks forming an outwardly convex face at least some of the corner blocks each presenting angularly-related legs of different lengths and different associated included angle components: a plurality of generally horizontallyextending rearwardly-stepped tiers, the bottom tier comprising zero to not more than three corner blocks, being interposed end-to-end between blocks having substantially identical though opposite hand legs used to erect a linear wall portion, and negotiating the first tier through the desired acute angle of curvature, each succeeding tier comprising corner blocks greater in number than the number of corner blocks in the next lower tier interposed end-to-end between blocks having substantially identical though opposite hand legs used to erect a tier of the linear wall portion, the number of corner blocks tier to tier comprising an arithmetic progression the common difference of which is either one or two, whereby the stacking arrangement of corner blocks at the angle of the curvature taken together generally resembles a generally vertically-extending equilateral V.

2. A stacking arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the set of corner blocks comprises left and right corner blocks of substantially identical though opposite hand eccentric configuration having an included angle comprising one of approximately 90, 105 and 62 /2 for establishing a corner which turns through an angle comprising one of approximately 60, 30 and 45, respectively, and a center corner block having substantially identical though opposite hand legs and an included angle comprising one of approximately 60, 90 and 35 respectively, wherein the bottom tier comprises one center corner block and each tier other than the bottom tier comprises at least one left and one right corner block,and wherein the common difference of the arithmetic progression is one.

3. A stacking arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the set of corner blocks comprises left and right corner blocks of substantially identical though opposite hand eccentric configuration having an included angle comprising one of approximately 62 75 and 90, wherein the bottom tier comprises zero corner blocks and all other tiers comprise at least one left and one right corner block, and wherein the common difference of the arithmetic progression is two.

4. A stacking arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the set of corner blocks comprises left and right corner blocks of substantially identical though opposite hand eccentric configuration having an included angle comprising one of approximately 75 and 90 for establishing a corner which turns through an angle comprising approximately 30 and 60, respectively, and a center corner block having substantially identical though opposite hand legs and an included angle of approximately 150 and 120, respectively, wherein the bottom tier comprises one center corner block and all other tiers comprise at least one left and one right corner block, and wherein the common difference of the arithmetic progression is two.

5. A stacking arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the set of corner blocks comprises left and right corner blocks of identical though opposite hand eccentric configuration having an included angle of approximately 62 /2 for establishing a corner which turns through an angle comprising approximately 45 and a center corner block having substantially identical though opposite hand legs and an included angle of approximately 35, wherein the bottom tier comprises one center corner block, one right corner block and one left corner block and all other tiers comprise at least one left, one center and one right corner block, and wherein the common difference of the arithmetic progression is two.

6. A stacking arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein all of the corner blocks which individually comprise angularly related legs of different lengths have a flat notch opening to the front and downward at the bottom of the juncture between the unequal legs, which notch interlocks over an end-to-end joint between adjacent blocks in the next lower tier independent of whether the adjacent blocks are both corner blocks or one adjacent block comprises one of the mentioned blocks having substantially identical though opposite hand legs.

7. A stacking arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the set of corner blocks also comprises a center corner block having substantially identical though opposite hand legs.

8. A stacking arrangement as defined in claim 7 wherein the angle of curvature forms an inside curve and each tier has a notchless center corner block, and wherein all joints between successive blocks formed in whole or in part by the corner blocks having unequal legs are laterally offset one from another as between adjacent tiers except the joints formed at the two ends of the center corner block of each tier respectively are vertically aligned one with another.

9. A stacking arrangement as defined in claim 7 wherein the angle of curvature comprises an outside curve and every other tier has a center corner block presenting a notch as defined and wherein an joints formed in whole or in part by the center and the c rner blocks having unequal legs are laterally offset one from another as between adjacent tiers.

10. In a method of stacking corner blocks to comprise an acutely curved portion of a terraced retaining wall on the order of about 30, 45 and 60: fabricating at least some corner blocks to present angularly-related legs convexly merging to an outwardly-projecting vertically-extending laterally-eccentric apex comprising a notch opening at the apex to the front and to the bottom, placing symmetrical blocks adapted to form a linear wall portion in stacked relation comprising rearwardly-stepped horizontal tiers, the last block of each tier being laterally offset in one direction from the last block of the next lower tier by about one-half of one symmetrical block, turning each tier of the wall through the desired acute angle by placing one corner block end-to-end against each symmetrical block in not less than all tiers above the bottom tier and by placing the remaining corner blocks so that the notch of each defined corner block rests over top and behind a joint between adjacent blocks in the next lower tier and all blocks are situated end-to-end to form the curved wall portion and interlock all blocks disp sed at the curved wall portion.

11. In an eccentric corner masonry planter block having legs of unequal length defining an included acute angle there between and being of one-piece construction adapted to be horizontally disposed in a predetermined stacking pattern for use in turning a terrace retaining wall through a selected acute angle of curvature of approximately 30, 45, 60 and limited variations thereof and comprising a generally V-shaped body made up of two angularly-related legs each with one free end terminating in a generally vertically extending edge disposed at an acute angle with respect to the leg and integrally united one to another at a common apex to establish an outwardly convex configuration and form a generally vertically-extending front-facing nose eccentric with relation to the midpoint of the eccentric corner block, the eccentric corner block presenting narrow bottom and t p edges respectively disposed in parallel generally horizontal planes, the apex exhibiting a fiat wedge-shaped notch opening both at the front nose and at the bottom edge, one said leg having a length substantially greater in magnitude than the length of the other leg, the included acute angle between the legs consisting of two angular components (as measured in a vertical plane passing through the apex generally perpendicular to a plane joining the free ends of the legs one to another) wherein the angle component related to the long leg is substantially greater than the angle component related to the short leg whereby when masonry blocks, including other blocks having legs which are substantially equal in length for fabricating a linear portion of the retaining wall and selected cor ner blocks at least comprising said eccentric corner blocks, are placed end-to-end in rearwardly-receding gen erally horizontal tiers, the notch of each nonsymmetrical block will interlock with and nest upon the upper edge of an end-to-end joint between adjacent blocks in the next lower tier independent of whether or not said adjacent blocks are both corner blocks or consist of one corner block and one other block, to thereby turn the retaining wall through said acute angle of curvature.

12. A non-symmetrical block as defined in claim 11 wherein the longer leg transverses rearward to a depth essentially equal to the rearward depth so traversed by the short leg.

13. A non-symmetrical block as defined in claim 11 wherein the longer leg traverses rearward a depth greater than the rearward depth so traversed by the short leg.

14. A non-symmetrical block as defined in claim 11 wherein the terminal edge at the end of at least one leg is disposed in a vertical plane at an acute angle to the leg.

15. Two essentially identical though opposite hand essentially V-shaped corner construction blocks each of essentially uniform height throughout with generally planar top and bottom edges for use in turning a generally linear wall through a curvature comprising a predetermined number of degrees, each block having a long leg and a short leg extending divergently away from a common vertex in a generally horizontal directi n and respectively terminating in end edges disposed in acute angular relation to the adjacent leg and defining an included acute angle between the legs, the acute angle being made up of two angle components measured between the respective long and short legs and a plane passing through the common vertex perpendicular to both a vertical plane parallel to the direction of the generally linear wall and a plane containing the top edge of the corner block, the angle component adjacent the long leg comprising more than one-half the included angle and the angle component adjacent the second leg comprising less than one-half the included angle.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,882,689 4/1959 Huch et a1. 61-35 2,960,797 11/1960 Frehner 6l35 X 3,269,125 8/1966 Moore 6135 10 JACOB SHAPIRO, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

